THE TOWN’S two newest firefighters/paramedics were sworn in Tuesday during a joint ceremony officiated by Town Clerk Susan Duplin. From left: Deputy Chief Barry Galvin, firefighters Steven Yobaccio and Nathaniel DiMeco, and Fire Chief Don Stats Jr. See story inside today’s paper. (Maureen Doherty Photo)
By MAUREEN DOHERTY
NORTH READING — It’s been a long time in coming. On Tuesday morning, Fire Chief Don Stats Jr. welcomed the town’s two newest firefighters/paramedics to the ranks of the North Reading Fire Department.
Upon introducing Steven Yobaccio and Nathaniel DiMeco to the roomful of family, friends, colleagues and town hall employees, Stats was happy to announce: “The department is going to be at full staffing for the first time in about four years!”
He said the North Reading Fire Department and the town “are really fortunate” to be hiring these two young men and that it was a “great feeling” to be fully staffed again, at least for the few months prior to the next anticipated retirement. Over the past few years many firefighters had reached retirement age.
“Steve comes to us from the Lynnfield Fire Department where he has worked since 2015 as a permanent firefighter and Nathan comes from the Middleton Fire Department as a call firefighter fulfilling the same role, so we are really fortunate that we have these two well-trained guys who come highly recommended from their chiefs,” Stats said.
They officially became town employees after Town Clerk Susan Duplin administered the oath to each new recruit.
WELCOME TO THE CREW! A large contingent of North Reading Fire Department personnel was on hand to welcome the department’s two newest firefighters to their ranks following their swearing-in ceremony Tuesday. Kneeling, from left: FF Adam Salemme, FF Tyler Samost, Capt. Dave Lee, FF James Casaletto, Capt. Matt Carroll and FF Chris Hadley; back row from left: FF Brian Nash, Capt. Eric Pepper, FF Cory Harris, Deputy Chief Barry Galvin, new FF/Paramedic Steven Yobaccio, new FF/Paramedic Nathaniel DiMeco, Fire Chief Don Stats Jr., FF Jon Burt and Capt. Mike Tannian. (Maureen Doherty Photo)
Given his prior tenure with the Lynnfield Fire Department, Yobaccio previously graduated from the Massachusetts Fire Academy. Now that DiMeco is a permanent firefighter in a community he is eligible to attend the next Massachusetts Fire Academy class that becomes available.
Town Administrator Michael Gilleberto pointed out that in addition to the many fellow firefighters from North Reading and other local fire departments attending the ceremony, many others in attendance were Town Hall employees who also wanted to welcome Yobaccio and DiMeco to town. “We consider ourselves a pretty large family,” he said of the town employees.
“We all know the work that folks in the Fire Department do is difficult and challenging work; dangerous work at times. But I think trying to attract folks to that job has become more complicated because of the economic situation that we all find ourselves in,” Gilleberto said, in reference to the length of time it has taken to find the right candidates for the available positions.
“We know the resources that we have are limited, because it comes down to what we receive in funding from the tax base. Fortunately, the community has been supportive of the town’s departments. But this just makes it all the more exciting for us to have you,” he said.
They’ll start working immediately which will alleviate the overtime hours that current firefighters have been covering to keep each shift fully staffed.
Select Board Chairwoman Liane Gonzalez welcomed the two new firefighters to town and offered the congratulations to them on behalf of the board.
